Twenty-five culturally important recordings including an episode of The Lone Ranger, President Franklin D. Roosevelt's address to Congress the day after the Pearl Harbor attack and one of the Rolling Stones' most famous songs were selected Tuesday for preservation in a special sound archive

The cyberspace saga of The Velvet Underground's 40-year-old first recording was to continue after fetching a false eBay bid of more than $155,000. The vintage Velvet was to be auctioned online again starting Thursday afternoon.

This year's nominees for the top Oscars picture, actress, actor, director have yet to catch box office fire. So if you, like many fans, have not seen the contenders, USA TODAY gives you a cheat sheet with everything you need to know for Feb. 27's Oscar party.

Japan won't decide whether to extend its military's humanitarian mission in Iraq until after the defense chief reports on his weekend visit to the war-ravaged country, a government spokesman said Monday.

Anders Hansen shot a 4-under-par 68 in strong wind Saturday to share a one-stroke lead with Craig Lile after three rounds of the South African Open. Hansen and Lile, who shot 70, were at 9-under 207. Steve Webster had a 67, leaving him in third. Second-round leader Nico van Rensburg played poorly, in the wind with a 75.

South Africa's Craig Lile shot a 4-under-par 68 Friday and moved into a tie for first place at 7-under-par with countryman Nico van Rensburg and Scotland's Alastair Forsythe after two rounds of the South African Open.